Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

There’s That Woman Again (1938) movie poster

Characters & Themes

There’s That Woman Again (1938) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1938 · 72 mins · English
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
Alexander Hall
Starring
Melvyn Douglas, Tom Dugan, Don Beddoe, Jonathan Hale, Marc Lawrence, Virginia Bruce

A wildly comedic caper, this film follows private detective Bill Reardon as he investigates a string of thefts from a downtown jewelry shop. The plot thickens when his inquisitive wife insists on joining the hunt, leading to a series of ridiculous mishaps and plenty of roaring laughs.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like There’s That Woman Again
  8. 8 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

4 main characters · contains spoilers

There’s That Woman Again Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of There’s That Woman Again (1938), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • William 'Bill' Reardon

    played by Melvyn Douglas

    A determined private detective who is resourceful and persistent. Bill is dedicated to uncovering the truth, often risking his own safety to solve crimes. His keen investigative skills help unravel the conspiracy behind the jewelry thefts.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Detective
    • 🧠 Intelligent
    • 💪 Determined
  • Sally Reardon

    Bill's wife, who is resourceful and eager to help her husband's cases. Her willingness to participate in risky schemes demonstrates her boldness and loyalty. She plays a crucial role in uncovering key clues in the investigation.

    • 👩‍💼 Assistant
    • 🦸‍♀️ Brave
    • 🕵️‍♀️ Curious
  • Mrs. Nacelle

    played by Margaret Lindsay

    The wife of the jewelry store owner, secretly involved in blackmail and theft. Her intricate plotting and eventual confrontation reveal her as a complex character driven by financial desperation and love.

    • 💃 Antagonist
    • 💰 Greedy
    • 🎭 Deceptive
  • Charles Crenshaw

    A young clerk falsely accused of theft, whose innocence becomes central to the case. His character embodies the theme of wrongful suspicion and the quest for justice.

    • 👔 Innocent
    • 🎯 Suspect
    • ⚖️ Wrongly accused

Last updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:51

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does There’s That Woman Again Take Place?

The setting of There’s That Woman Again (1938): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1930s

Set in the 1930s, the movie reflects the era's fashion, social dynamics, and crime atmosphere. This period was characterized by economic struggles during the Great Depression, but also by a glamorous nightlife scene and intricate criminal activities in urban centers like New York.

Location

New York City, Jewelry store, Nightclub, Mrs. Nacelle's mansion

The movie takes place primarily in New York City, a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant nightlife, high-end stores, and social elite. Key scenes occur in a jewelry store, a posh nightclub, and a luxurious mansion, highlighting the contrast between the city's glamour and its darker criminal underbelly.

  • 🌆 Urban
  • 🏢 City
  • 💎 Wealthy

Last updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:51

Was this helpful?

2 major themes

There’s That Woman Again Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is There’s That Woman Again (1938) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Detective Work

    The film revolves around a private detective and his wife unraveling a complex jewelry theft conspiracy. It explores themes of investigation, deception, and justice, emphasizing the importance of cunning and persistence in solving crimes.

  • Betrayal & Love

    The movie highlights personal betrayals through the clandestine marriage of Croy and Mrs. Nacelle, and the blackmail schemes. These relationships add layers of emotional complexity, driving the plot's tension and highlighting the destructive power of secrets.

Last updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:51

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

There’s That Woman Again Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about There’s That Woman Again (1938): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The film takes place primarily in New York City, a bustling metropolis featuring a jewelry store, a posh nightclub, and a luxurious mansion. These settings highlight the contrast between the city's glamorous social elite and its darker criminal underbelly.

  • new york city
  • setting
  • jewelry store
  • nightclub
  • mansion
Q2

What time period does the story take place in?

The movie is set in the 1930s, during the Great Depression era. This period was marked by economic struggles but also by a glamorous nightlife scene and intricate criminal activities in urban centers like New York.

  • 1930s
  • great depression
  • era
  • time period
Q3

What genre and tone does the film have?

There's That Woman Again is a crime comedy caper. Despite involving theft, blackmail, and murder, the film maintains a light, humorous tone focused on ridiculous mishaps and the playful dynamic between the detective couple, balancing comedy with suspense.

  • comedy
  • crime
  • mystery
  • caper
  • tone
Q4

What are the main themes explored in the film?

The movie explores two primary themes: Detective Work, focusing on investigation, deception, and the pursuit of justice; and Betrayal & Love, examining secret relationships, blackmail, and the destructive power of secrets.

  • themes
  • detective work
  • betrayal
  • love
  • deception
Q5

Who is the main protagonist?

William 'Bill' Reardon is the film's determined private detective. He is resourceful and persistent, dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the jewelry thefts and often risking his own safety to solve crimes.

  • bill reardon
  • private detective
  • protagonist
  • investigator
Q6

What role does Bill's wife play in the story?

Sally Reardon is Bill's wife who is resourceful and eager to assist in his cases. Her boldness and loyalty lead her to participate in risky investigations, playing a crucial role in uncovering key clues.

  • sally reardon
  • wife
  • detective partner
  • investigation
Q7

Who is Mrs. Nacelle and what is her role?

Mrs. Nacelle is the wife of the jewelry store owner. She is secretly involved in blackmail and theft, driven by financial desperation and love. Her complex plotting reveals the emotional complexity behind the criminal scheme.

  • mrs nacelle
  • antagonist
  • jewelry store
  • blackmail
  • secret marriage
Q8

Who is Charles Crenshaw in the film?

Charles Crenshaw is a young clerk who is falsely accused of theft. His innocence becomes central to the case, embodying the theme of wrongful suspicion and the quest for justice within the mystery.

  • charles crenshaw
  • clerk
  • false accusation
  • innocence
  • justice
Q9

How does the New York City setting influence the film?

The New York City setting provides a backdrop of stark contrast between wealth and crime. The luxurious nightclub and mansion represent the glamorous upper class, while the jewelry store heists reveal the criminal underworld operating within the same city.

  • new york
  • urban setting
  • wealth
  • crime
  • contrast
Q10

What does the Detective Work theme involve?

The Detective Work theme revolves around a private detective and his wife unraveling a complex jewelry theft conspiracy. It emphasizes the importance of cunning, persistence, and teamwork in solving crimes and uncovering the truth.

  • detective
  • investigation
  • crime solving
  • conspiracy
Q11

How are betrayal and love explored in the movie?

The film highlights personal betrayals through the clandestine marriage of Croy and Mrs. Nacelle, along with blackmail schemes. These relationships add emotional complexity, driving the plot's tension and showing how secrets can be both destructive and motivating.

  • betrayal
  • love
  • secrets
  • blackmail
  • relationships
Q12

Why is the 1930s setting important to the story?

The 1930s setting reflects the era's fashion, social dynamics, and crime atmosphere. The Great Depression's economic struggles contrast with the glamorous nightlife depicted in the film, creating a period where both desperation and elegance coexisted.

  • 1930s
  • great depression
  • nightlife
  • era significance

Movie threads

More Movies Like There’s That Woman Again, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes There’s That Woman Again tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Comedic detective duo movies like There’s That Woman Again

Charming sleuthing partnerships navigate ridiculous cases with wit and romance. If you enjoyed the witty banter and playful partnership in There’s That Woman Again, you'll love these movies featuring charming detective duos. This collection highlights films where crime-solving is paired with romantic chemistry and farcical situations, offering a lighthearted take on the mystery genre.

  • witty
  • playful
  • romantic
  • lighthearted
  • suspenseful
  • energetic
  • Tone: light, witty, romantic
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a pair of investigators, frequently romantically linked, as they tackle a case that is more convoluted than dangerous. The plot is driven by a series of humorous misunderstandings, close calls, and clever deductions, with the relationship between the leads providing as much entertainment as the mystery itself.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared emphasis on a charismatic investigative partnership, a light tone that prioritizes comedy over darkness, and a fast-paced plot filled with amusing complications rather than genuine peril.

Fast-paced caper farce movies similar to There’s That Woman Again

High-energy comedies where elaborate schemes lead to chaotic, hilarious outcomes. Fans of the rapid-fire comedy and lighthearted crime capers in There’s That Woman Again will enjoy these selections. These movies share a fast pace, a farcical tone, and intricate plots involving theft, deception, and humorous suspense, perfect for viewers seeking an energetic and funny mystery.

  • farce
  • energetic
  • witty
  • playful
  • suspenseful
  • lighthearted
  • Tone: light, farcical
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically involve an elaborate scheme—like a theft or a con—that quickly spirals out of control due to a meddling partner or sheer bad luck. The narrative structure is a whirlwind of twists, deceptions, and narrow escapes, all played for laughs, building to a satisfying and happy resolution where order is restored.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their specific mix of a crime-based plot, a consistently light and farcical tone, very fast pacing, and a focus on generating laughter from chaotic situations rather than tension from genuine threat.

If you liked this

Movies Like There’s That Woman Again

Similar movies to There’s That Woman Again: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

There’s That Woman Again (1938) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about There’s That Woman Again in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app